BandBeat

49 posts

I’m Bella Anderson, a flute player from Whangarei. This year is my first with the NZYSW and I am really enjoying the experience so far! I first heard of the NZYSW at the 2017 NZCBA Festival, which was hosted by Whangarei Youth Music, an organisation that I have been a […]

By Rangimakehu Hall I remember the feeling. Excitement….and anxiety? Those first emotions you feel when arriving at your first NZYSW workshop event, very quickly replaced with comfort and familiarity. The memory remains, and when you are no longer eligible to be a participant in the band, it’s those feelings and […]

NZYSW at the School Of Music After a mere two days of intense rehearsal, under the guidance of Simon Brew, the NZ Youth Symphonic Winds presented a challenging and stunning programme at the University of Auckland’s School of Music. The evening started with one of my all-time favourite pieces, “Overture […]

He waiata whakaako Music is learning Kathleen Mulligan Conducting at Opo now for the third year, I can attest to the success of the Opononi Music Camp formula. The 6 a.m. rehearsal becomes an opportunity for calm focus: no one has the wherewithal to talk! The 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. rehearsals are more lively and […]

He waiata whakahonohono Music connects us The intensity of the Opononi Music Camp means we get through a lot of music. We sightread multiple other pieces in addition to the 14 pieces (pictured) which were presented at the final concert. Celtic Ritual – John Higgins This stirring concert-opener is a […]

Ka arohatia e tātou ngā waiata, ka arohatia e tātou te kotahitanga We love the music, we love the togetherness Those who have been to Opononi Music Camp are drawn back year after year. It’s an experience truly like no other. Organised by the capable hands of Whangarei Youth Music, who […]

By Bruce Pearson Me, a servant/leader? You’ve got to be kidding! How can a servant be a leader, or a leader be a servant? While training young musicians to become band directors, a considerable amount of time is devoted to the study of music theory, music history, musicianship, stylistic practices, conducting, […]

Band Weekend October 2017 brought together nearly 40 musicians from as far afield as Kerikeri, Taranaki, and Christchurch, to work with a musical director from Dunedin. The Friday night rehearsal was described as “worrisome” and “frightening”! Saturday brought more practice time both as a band and in sectionals, and great […]

We have nearly 40 people enrolled, with a great range of instruments! All systems are go, after a brief but terrifying period where NZ Post lost the sheet music. I’ll be copying music tonight, but it’s not too late to register. Things to know: Schedule Map – the […]

The NZCBA Festival 2017 in Whangarei featured the premiere of an exciting piece with unusual instrumentation. The audience was riveted, and participants raved about the experience. The composer, Anthony Young, shared the following: In 2016, Fiona Douglas approached me to write the piece with the hope that it would be […]